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" The convoluted logic that thinks traveling 75mph uses less gas than 55mph on long trips confirms the ignorance of the source. The amount of time is irrelevant to the equation. The amount of fuel consumed is the important factor. I am never disappointed by the lack of simple cognitive skills of the rubes in this community.
Work zones don't have lower speeds just to protect the workers. The speed linits are adjusted to protect drivers too. Disobeying the law is another sign of rappant rubism. "

" A good reason to keep to the speed limit in a work zone is due to the fact that lanes are narrower and uneven especially when they span the shoulder. In addition, there is no where to escape between those concrete barriers should one need to execute an emergency maneuver due to someone losing control because they were going too fast. Workers don't have to be present for accidents to happen. "

" This is just another step toward robotic traffic control. Missouri experimented with cameras mounted on the overpasses to catch speeders. Many cities have cameras at stop lights on busy corners. large cities have city surviellance systems to watch traffic flow on main arteries into and out of the city. Cameras and auto ticketing systems are going to become the new highway patrol car. This frees up state troopers for more important business like accidents or traffic jams. The state makes about 95% profit on these systems so look for them to expand. "

" LEROYAN
I haven't noticed much different in fuel consumption between 55 and 75 MPH. If you travel the same distance (750 miles) in a day driving either 75 or 55; the slower speed takes about 3.5 hours longer. Longer drive time takes more fuel consumption than the slight increase in speed. On short trips I will agree fast acceleration and frequent stops wreck fuel economy. A smooth steady pace and driving the speed limit on local roads will help increase gas mileage. On the open road I got my best gas mileage in the states I could drive 70 and 75. "

" BC
Deaths from traffic crashes are tragic but they are rarely murder. Murder is defined as the intentional AND unlawful taking of another persons life. If a death in a traffic crash was intentional And unlawful then the responsible person could be charged with murder. If the death was unintentional but the act was knowingly reckless, the driver could be charged with reckless homicide. Unfortunate as they are, most traffic deaths are just tragic loses of life that might have been prevented if something had been done differently. Traffic deaths rarely meet the standard of murder. "

" re: "BC" ahhh listen to you, such a cute little facist in training. I bet you are a huge fan of bertram scudder. Innocent men are hard to rule so you need to pass so many laws that everyone is a criminal and then you have will have all the control you want.

If you like how much European socialst countries charge for speeding - why not move there? Did you forget that this country was founded by people that wanted nothing to do with Europe? "

" BC
There are only a few traffic laws which are actually crimes meaning misdemeanor or felony. Most traffic laws are regulatory offenses classed as petty or business violations. Speeding does not become a crime until exceeding more than 40 MPH over the posted speed limit (Class A misdemeanor, 11-601.5). Construction zone speed violations are petty offenses (11-605.1). I'm not advocating violating the law. I am suggesting the laws be changed to more reflect what 80% of the driving population is doing and not have laws designed to generate money for politicians. I haven't had a ticket in years; I do obey the laws, even when I think they are ridiculous. I still feel the speed limit in Illinois should be raised 75 MPH and trucks should drive the same speed as cars to keep traffic flow equal. "

" Freedom fanatic, Glad to hear that you found oil on your property so that you can donate the extra oil towards the increase in gas that will be needed for the increased speed. "

" I respect the construction workers along the interstate and go the speed limit but don't let the state police or DOT tell you they are doing this to reduce deaths...it is a revenue maker!!!!! THAT is all they care about! Troopers love it because of overtime paid by the gov. grant! "

" Big brother is watching, I think stuff like this is just the tip of the iceberg, we are no longer in a government for the people, by the people. This is a two party dicatatorship, if you think differently then you are more then likely blind to everything that is going on around you. Things are going to get worse until society hits a breaking point, before you know it they will just start monitoring internet traffic and other habits. It's sad I really wish I could move to another country or change this one. I would love to see how many of those deaths would be attributed to some drinking, I trust no government statistics. What's scarier is our next choice for president, both are horrible. "

" Work Zones - there really just speed traps (revenue generators) for the state. It would be nice if a Work Zone actually had WORKERS IN IT! Simple really. "

" Freedom Fanatic,
I support raising moving violation fines to $500. Some countries charge a percent of last years income. Traffic offenders are criminals and should be treated as such. More people are murdered by automobile each year than by guns. Last statistic I saw was 40,000. This is a tax that is totally voluntary. No one pays it unless they raise their hand and step forward. Don't like a citation, don't engage in criminal behavior. Tickets are totally avoidable. "

" the problem with the construction zones is that one company will win the bids on a large number of contracts and put two people out working on the job site. doing this makes the job take longer than needed. the state need to put in the contracts that this job has to be done in a number of days or the contrator starts losing money. there is a bridge on US136 between heyworth and mclean that a number of days this summer has had just one or two people at the site. Stark just need to hire more or bid less if he is not doing to work the job right. "

" The reason you see no work going on or dragging it out is because Illinois is a pay to play with our corrupt politicians. Good example is the joke on Oakland avenue as an example. There are sevral small jobs that take much longer than much larger ones.
Good example would be 74 thru Peoria which was done in good time and then tere's the replacement of the road on West Market/rt9 on the west side that drug out for about 3 years. We pay way to many people union wages to stand around leaning on a shovel. "

" The vast majority of the time, I've seen a sign that states a lower speed limit "...when workers are present." And yes, 1 mph over is the same as 10 or 20. It's like being late to work; when you're late even one minute, you're still "late." "

" "Instead, the number of tickets and the money the state makes from each work zone speeding citation has increased each year."

Gee. What a shock. Budget shortfall in Springfield = more citations.

I'm with Freedom Fanatic. I always slow down to 45 when workers are present, but it's absolute nonsense to post a construction zone for 20, 30, or more miles, make you slow down to 45 or 55 and not a person is in sight!

If I remember right though, they're only allowed to use photo enforcement vans when there are actually workers present. "

" fixing the roads in illinois is a never ending deal. you ever notice 30 miles of barracades with nothing going on. it all about money. of all the states I have been though illinois is the worst.they need a better system and get rid of the people in goverment not doing there jobs. get to the root of the problem, not the people. "

" """I have often gone through a work zone where there is no appearance of work being done or the work has stalled for some reason and no one is working on the project."""

Yea, like Monday thru Friday from 7 - 4. Oh wait, someone is usually holding a sign...

And one more thing - is it 1 MPH over and automatic ticket, or is there a a little bit of a "buffer"? Cause you know everyone can keep it right at the limit to a tenth of a MPH. "

" I don't mind slowing down to the work zone limit when workers are actually present. I have often gone through a work zone where there is no appearance of work being done or the work has stalled for some reason and no one is working on the project. Why not have the limit enforceable only when workers are in the zone and working. Flashing lights could signal when the zone limit applies. Illinois's speed limit is at a snail's pace compared to many other states. It's frustrating to drive even slower through a work zone when there is no apparent reason. No one wants to hurt a worker or anyone else, but why should a work zone be allowed to unnecessarily impede traffic flow.

I support raising Illinois's speed limit on interstate highways to 75 MPH and 65 on state highways. "